Aligning mechanism



Dec. 29, 1936. I e. H. WHITE AL IGNING MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 29, 1936. G, H. WHITE 2,066,023

ALIGNING MECHAN ISM Filed April 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 29, 1936. G. H. WHITE ALIGNING MECHANISM V Filed April 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 29,1936. a H, WHWE 20663023 ALIGNING MECHANISM I Filed April 17, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ffiyenfor eozye fzererz Maia 5y M m Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT QFFICE ALIGNING MECHANISM George Herbert White, Hartford, Conn, assignor to Chester A. Macomic, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 17, 1935, Serial No. 16,841

10 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in aligning mechanisms such as are especially well adapted for use in connection with type casting or selecting machines or in connection with any type of apparatus where it is necessary to align in fixed position a plurality of movable members.

Specifically, I have illustrated my invention in connection with a type casting machine wherein there are a plurality of longitudinally movable matrix strips. These matrix strips having in intaglio on their under sides characters of the alphabet or the like. Means are provided for longitudinally displacing these strips and selectively arresting them in register with a mold so that subsequently molten metal may be forced into the mold and into the letters in intaglio for the purpose of casting a printing slug. Under these circumstances, it will be obvious that since the matrix strips are given a considerable length of movement and are arrested at selected points, it is very important that the strips be properly aligned so that the letter cast on the slug will be in correct alignment.

My invention relates primarily therefore to the aligning means for this or any other purpose. My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine with which my invention is adapted to be used;

Figure 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale showing the operating mechanism;

Figure 3 is a detail view on an enlarged showing the operating mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper aligning bar;

Figure 5 is a detail view of the lower aligning bar; Figure 6 is a front'view of the aligning bar shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged section along the'line 1-1 of Figure 3 showing the aligning bars out of engagement with the matrix strips;

Figure 8 is an enlarged section along the line 8-8 of Figure 3 showing the lower aligning bar in engagement with the matrix;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through the machine on a smaller scale though on the same line as Figure 7 but showing the two aligning bars gripping the matrix; t

Figure 10 is a section along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 3 showing the parts in the same relative position as in Figure 9.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

My invention is illustrated in connection with scale a type casting machine having a horizontal frame A, a vertical frame A-l, a diagonal frame A2. This latter frame carries a typewriter platform A-3 and a typewriter A-4 which by suitable means not here shown or illustrated makes it possible to control the operation of the device. Supported by the horizontal frame A and the vertical frame A--|, is a matrix plate A5 having an upward extension A6 in alignment therewith. A-'l is a cross head adapted to be reciprocated by means of the lever A-8, link A-9, and crank A-Ifl by any suitable source of power located in the transmission box A-l I.

The cross head A9 carries a drive bar B notched at B-l to be engaged by the spring pressed hooks B-2 on the mat heads B-3, there being one mat head rigidly mounted to each matrix strip B-4. Themat head has a rib 13-5 which travels between the guide walls BB, B-6, on the pattern bed B--'|. Pattern pins B-8 are depressed between the walls B'6, B--B under the control of the typewriter to select the point at which each matrix strip will be stopped on its downward movement toward the casting position. Between the matrix plate A5 and its extension A-6 is left a gap which contains a mold B-'9. B-H) is the nozzle of a pot. Above the matrix strips and in opposition to the mold is an abutment member B-'I I which resists the upward pressure of the pot mouth against the mold and matrix strips when casting takes place.

It will be understood that the matrix strips are moved back and forth 'acrossthe mold. The notches Con the underside of each matrix strip carry the character inintaglio. The serrations C-l on the back side of each matrix strip are properly related with the notches so that in cooperation with these serrations on the back of the matrix strip, the casting serration may be properly'alig'ned with the mold. The abutment bar Bll is locked to the two sides of the upright'frame A-l above the matrix bed and while.

serving as an abutment to resist the upward pressure of the pot, at the sameItim'e furnishes a support for the-aligning mechanism which forms the subject matter of this invention.

It will be understood that the matrixstrips are all'assembled at the upper position at the start of the operation. As the cross head A-'| comes down drawing with it all the matrices, individual matrices are arrested in their downward travel by the selected pattern pin. These pattern pins are longitudinally slidable into and out of register with the mat head and are or may be at a considerable distance from the point where the casting is to take place. Also because the matrix strips rest against them by gravity only, there is always the possibility that there may be some rebound when the spring latch is released and the matrix strip may bounce slightly upward and even slightly out of contact with the pattern pin. For this reason, certain specific means are required to make sure of the alignment.

is the first aligning bar. It engages the front of the two-part abutment member 3-H and is supported by it. This first aligning bar is screwed and pinned to carriers 26 from which project upwardly extending studs 21 sliding in a bracket 28.0n the abutment bar. Springs 29 encircle the studs and tend to press the carrier and the first aligning bar yieldingly downward toward the matrix strips. isthe second aligning bar loosely socketed in and associated with the carrier 26. It is in opposition to the first aligning bar and the .two bars have matrix strip engaging blades 3| and 32 in opposition one to another.

The carrier 26 is cut away as indicated and the same is true of the first aligning bar so that the second one can come'downwardly and rock into position from the position shown in Figures 7 and 8 to the position shown in Figures9 and 10.

The second aligning bar 30 has upwardly extending yokes 33 guided by pins 34 on the ends of the carriers 26. Links 35 extend upwardly from the outermost edge of the aligning bar 30 and are pivoted on a lever 36 which lever is mounted on a rotating shaft 31 on the bracket 28. A working lever 38 is rigidly. mounted on the shaft 31 and a spring 39 is interposed between the bracket 28 andthe lever 38 to tend to press the aligning bar supporting lever 36 downwardly. The lever 36 carries a roller 40 which engages a cam 4| on the shaft 42. 43 is a block concentric with the roller 40 also engaging the cam 4|. In the position shown in Figure 7, this block is about to drop off the cam. When the block engages the cam both aligning bars are held in the inoperative position so that the matrices are free to move. In Figure 7, the matrices have been stopped and as the cam 4| rotates, the block will slip ofi the ey lindrical part of the cam and allow the first aligning bar which is held up by the second, to drop into the positionshown in Figure 8 Further motion of the cam willallow the roller 40 to slip ofi the curved portion of the cam and the second aligning bar will drop into the position one aligning bar engages all the matrix strips and holds them against downward motionand then the next one engages them all and presses them against the first and holds them in proper .alignment. This position continues until the cast has been made, whereupon further rotation of the cam will first lift the second aligning bar rearwardly and upwardly to clear the matrix strips and thenlift the first aligning bar. It willbe understood that the cam shaft 42 isrotated by mechanism not here shown in detail in consonance with the matrix moving and the casting means whereby these aligning-bars can go into operation.

I claim:

1. In combination a plurality of elongated transversely serrated members, means for moving them longitudinally and means for arresting each of them separately in selected position, and means associated with said serrations and independent of the arresting means for aligning "them, said means comprising a plurality of aligning bars adapted to engage opposed sides of a single serration, means for bringing one aligning bar into opposition with one side of a serration, means for subsequently bringing the other aligning bar into opposition with the opposed side of the serration and means for then drawing said aligning bars together to grip the serrations and align them.

2. In combination, a plurality of movable strips having serrations, an aligning bar movable toward and from them along a line out of parallelism with their line of movement, the aligning bar having aworking lip adapted to engage one side of the serrations, a carrier in which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away,

' the carrier being further cut away, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted on the carrier and'adapted to rest selectively either in the cut away portion of the carrier or the cut away portion of the first aligning bar, yielding means tending to press the first aligning bar downwardly toward the strips, yielding means tending to press the second aligning bar independently downwardly toward the strips and a single means adapted to displace the second aligning barslidable and rotatable with respect to the first and to hold both aligning bars out of register with the strips.

3. In combination, a mold, a plurality of elongated transversely serrated matrix strips and means for moving them longitudinally across the faceof the mold, means'for separately arresting each strip in selected casting position, and means for simultaneously engaging the generally aligned serrations of all of the strips and moving them into accurately aligned position. v

4. In combination, a plurality of, movable strips having serrations, an aligning bar movable to ward and'from them along a line out of parallelism with their line of movement, the .aligning bar having a working lip adapted to engage one side of the serrations, a carrier in which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away, the carrier being further cutaway, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted .on the carrier and adapted to rest selectively either in the cut away portion'of, the carrier or the cut away portion of the first aligning bar, means for moving, the aligningbars into working relationship with aligned serrations on all the movable strips to accurately align the strips.

5. In combination, a plurality of movable strips having serrations, an aligning bar movable toward and from them along a line out of parallelism with theirline of movement, the aligning bar having a working lip adapted to engage one side of the serrations, a carrier in which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away, the carrier being further cut away, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted on the carrier and'adapted to rest selectively either in the cut away portion of the carrier or the cut away portion of the first aligning bar, means for moving the aligning bars into working relationship with' aligned serrations on all the movable strips to accurately align the strips, and means for positively maintaining the aligning bars out of register with the strips. v

6. In combination, a plurality of movable strips having serrations, an aligning -bar movable .toward and from them alonga line out of parallelism with their line of movement, the aligning bar having a working lip adapted to; engage one side of the serrations, a carrierin which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away, the carrier being further cut away, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted on the carrier and adapted. to rest selectively either in the cut away portion of the carrier or the cut away portion of the first aligning bar, means for moving first one and then other aligning bar into working relationship with aligned serrations on all the strips and drawing said bars together to accurately align the strips.

'7. In combination, a plurality of movable strips having serrations, an aligning bar movable toward and from them along a line out of parallelism With their line of movement, the aligning bar having a Working lip adapted to engage one side of the serrations, a carrier in which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away, the carrier being further cut away, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted on the carrier and adapted to rest selectively either in the cut away portion of the carrier or the cut away portion of the first aligning bar, means for yieldingly moving first one and then the other aligning bar into working'relationship with aligned serrations on all the strips and then forcing said bars yieldingly together to align the strips.

8. In combination, a plurality of movable strips having serrations, an aligning bar movable toward and from them along a line out of parallelism with their line of movement, the aligning bar having a Working lip adapted to engage one side of the serrations, a carrier in which the aligning bar is mounted, the aligning bar being cut away, the carrier being further cut away, a second aligning bar slidably and rotatably mounted on the carrier and adapted to rest selecaligning bar downwardly toward the strips, yielding means tending to press the second aligning bar independently downwardly toward the strips,

and means for drawing the aligning bars together to align the strips.

9. In combination, a plurality of movable serrated strips, means for stopping separate strips in selected position with their serrations in general alignment, an aligning bar movable toward and from all the strips and adapted to engage one side of a row of aligned serrations, a second aligning bar movable toward and from the strips in general parallelism with the first and adapted to engage the other side of said row of aligned serrations, means for drawing said aligning bars together to grip the serrations between them and to align the strips.

10. In combination, a plurality of movable serrated strips, means for stopping separate strips in selected position with their serrations in general alignment, an aligning bar movable toward and from all the strips and adapted to engage one side of a row of aligned serrations, a second aligning bar movable toward and from the strips in general parallelism with the first and adapted to engage the other side of said row of aligned serrations, means for drawing said aligning bars together to grip the serrations between them and align the strips, yielding means interposed between the operating means for said aligning bars whereby a yielding grip is maintained upon the serrations.

GEORGE HERBERT WHITE. 

